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Things to Do in Victoria
One of the best places to go in Victoria is Beacon Hill Park, a 75 hectare space with numerous playing fields, gardens, a petting zoo and views of the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic Mountains. In the summer, the park is home to the Luminara Community Lantern Festival as well as a number of outdoor concerts. Another popular place to visit in Victoria is the Inner Harbour, especially around the British Columbia Legislative buildings or the gorgeous Empress Hotel. Visitors also enjoy the exhibitions at the Royal British Columbia Museum and IMAX National Geographic Theatre. Other museums in the downtown core include Victoria Police Department Station Museum, Emily Carr House and Royal London Wax Museum. Victoria is also well known for several of its heritage buildings, including Christ Church Cathedral, St. Ann's Schoolhouse, Helmcken House, Temple Emmanuel, Church of Our Lord, and St. Andrew's Cathedral. The historic Craigdarroch Castle, a Victorian-era mansion built in the 1890s by the Dunsmuir family, is a must see for fans of late 19th century architecture. Several cultural events occur in Victoria, throughout the year, including concerts, live theatre and arts festivals. While the Victoria Symphony's regular season runs from September to May, the orchestra performs each BC Day (August long weekend) on the Inner Harbour. Fans of opera, choral music and ballet should check out performances by the Pacific Opera Victoria, Victoria Philharmonic Choir, Canadian Pacific Ballet and Ballet Victoria at the Macpherson and Royal Theatres. Sports fans can head to Victoria's Save-On Memorial Centre arena to catch a Salmon Kings hockey game. The Memorial Centre is also Vancouver Island's main entertainment arena and has hosted live concerts by some of the biggest touring acts in the world. Live theatre enthusiasts won't be disappointed with Victoria's theatre companies. Local theatre troupes include the Belfrey Theatre, the Phoenix Theatre and Kaleidoscope Theatre. The Intrepid Theatre produces the annual Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival and the Uno Festival of Solo Performance. In terms of outdoor recreation, Victoria is a well-known destination for hikers, kayakers and golfers. And the city is also very popular with cyclists, thanks to the numerous bike paths, lanes and routes, like the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Mountain bikers should check out the trails at Mount Work Regional Park. The wide array of restaurants and the various types of cuisine make dining out in Victoria a unique experience. Connoisseurs of the best West Coast cuisine will enjoy several local eateries. And lovers of Asian fare will find tasty dishes ranging from the city's excellent Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Indian restaurants and bistros.
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